He reachedthe corridor’s end and paused, glancing back at the heavy oak door to her chamber. He’d placed her in a room adjacent to his quarters in the east wing—an arrangement that would raise eyebrows among the servants. Unmarried lasses should stay in the west wing, far from the Laird’s chambers.
“‘Tis for her protection,”he muttered, raking a hand through his hair.
The lass had nearlyflung herself off a cliff so she would not be captured. Hell, she’d tried to run away from him even in her weakened state. Who knew what she might try if left alone?
But even ashe justified his decision, Hector knew there was more to it. Her fierce spirit, unbroken despite everything, had awakened something protective inside him he’d thought long dead.
His mind returnedto the confusion in her blue eyes when he’d told her she was safe. To the moment when that bastard had nearly reached her before Hector intervened. If he’d been a minute late and the bastard had caught her, she might have been lost forever, living a life no better than that of a trapped animal.
“I’ll get ye.Every last one of ye bastards!”
“Me Laird?”A timid voice broke through his thoughts.
A young maidstood frozen in the corridor, a stack of linens in her arms. Her eyes were wide with alarm at his display of temper.
Hector schooledhis features into something resembling calm. “Carry on, Moira.”
The girl hurried past,giving him a wide berth. Her fear was a sharp reminder of his position. A laird could not indulge in displays of emotion like common men. His people looked to him for strength, for stability in the clan.
The snakewho had led the hunt had escaped. He had slithered away during the chaos, but Hector would find him before too long. He would make him pay for every mark on Gabriella’s body, every moment of terror those lasses had endured.
His father had taughthim that a warrior’s rage was a weapon, useful only when properly tempered and controlled.
A McCulloch doesnae lose control.A McCulloch doesnae fail in his duty.
And Hector hada new duty now, to the fierce-eyed lass sleeping in the chamber behind him, and to every woman who had suffered at the hands of these hunters. He would not fail them.
“Mark me words.I’ll see every one of ye burn for it.”
Hours later,Hector sat hunched over maps of the region, marking possible hideouts where the hunt’s leader might have fled. His eyes burned from strain in the dim candlelight, but his mind refused to slow down. The brandy beside him remained untouched—he needed clarity, not comfort.
He pushed backfrom the desk, rolling his shoulders to ease the tension. Perhaps rest would come now that he had a plan. Reluctantly, he made his way to his chambers, stripping off his léine and falling onto his bed.
The sleepthat eventually claimed him was dark and fitful, until a scream tore through the night, jerking him awake.
Hector bolted upright,instantly alert. The sound came again—raw terror from the chamber next to his. Gabriella.
He grabbedthe dirk he kept beside his bed and was at her door in moments, his heart pounding with dread.
He burst into her chamber,his weapon raised, scanning the shadows for intruders. Moonlight streamed through the window, illuminating the bed where Gabriella thrashed above the linens, still screaming, though her eyes remained closed.
He exhaled sharply,lowering the blade. Setting the dirk on a nearby table, he approached the bed cautiously.
“Gabriella,”he called, keeping his voice low but firm. “Wake up, lass. Ye’re dreamin’.”
She didn’t hear him.She was far too lost in whatever horror her mind had conjured. Her face was contorted in terror, tears streaming down her cheeks.
“Nay! Please! I willnae go back!”she cried, her arms flailing as if warding off invisible hands.
Hector sat carefullyon the edge of the bed and held firmly to her wrists, mindful of her injuries.
“Gabriella,”he repeated, louder this time. “Wake up. Ye’re safe now.”
Her eyes flew open,wild and unseeing at first. Then, recognition dawned, followed immediately by fresh fear. She jerked backward, pressing herself against the headboard.
“It’s me, Gabriella.”Hector released her wrists, raising his hands to show that he meant no harm. “Ye were havin’ a nightmare.”
Gabriella’s breathcame in ragged gasps. She stared at him, blinking in the dim light. “Laird McCulloch?”
